Connect with us
Godshaper #1 Review

Comic Books

Godshaper #1 Review

Comic creators have a tough job to do when preparing a series’ debut issue. They have to introduce the cast, setting, and beginning plot points, all in an entertaining enough fashion that the reader will want to pick up issue two. Does Godshaper #1 pull this off?

Godshaper #1 (BOOM! Studios)

Godshaper #1 Review

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

The issue starts off promisingly enough. We get a short bit of narration about how the laws of physics no longer apply, but every human gets assigned their own god. These gods seem to primarily provide economic and career assistance, as they assist their assigned humans in business ventures. Gods also act as bodyguards in instances of physical altercation. Interestingly, these “gods” seem to have little to no agency whatsoever—they may possess unique abilities, but it is only their humans who hold any real semblance of power or control. Humans’ rights include the right to have their gods altered, customized with any number of different powers to best meet the human’s needs.

Godshaper #1 Review

There’s a limit to humans’ control over their gods, however. Regular people cannot alter gods; that task is left to Shapers, a tiny minority of humans born with the ability to alter gods’ flesh, changing their appearances and modifying their powers. Shapers are unique in that they do not have gods of their own—a fact which causes them to be viewed derisively by the rest of society. Our main character is Ennay, a traveling shaper. He is accompanied on his travels by a god named Bud. Bud is unusual as well; gods aren’t supposed to be able to survive without human worshippers.

Godshaper #1 Review

Writer Simon Spurrier establishes all of this key information within the issue’s first half, which sports some nice colors by illustrator Jonas Goonface. To be blunt, the issue’s first half is not great. There are some cool bits of narration and the book’s premise has potential, but little of what stands out as potentially interesting ever gets expanded upon enough. This series is built upon concepts of persecution and societal isolation, but neither of those ideas manifests meaningfully. Ennay talks about the state of the world, but we get no impactful depictions of his emotions or backstory. He seems content just to move along wherever life takes him, and I never felt compelled or excited to follow him on his journey. The art in the book’s initial pages is similarly mid-grade. There are some pretty colors and individual panels or character designs that look decent, but nothing feels breathtaking or particularly original. Asides from one cool splash page, there’s little that is artistically memorable.

I have so far specified that I was speaking about the first half of the issue, because things take a turn around the midpoint. Unfortunately, that turn is for the worse. The issue’s execution of its premise goes from serviceable with hints of promise to downright boring and uninspired. Nothing ever crosses the line into terrible, but nothing approaches being impactful either. A third seemingly major character, Smudge, is introduced, and just as I was thinking of how boring her personality and dialogue were, she delivered a speech about her tragic backstory. This should have made the character more endearing, but the flashback’s execution was as boring as the rest of the issue’s second half and I was left caring even less about her. Some more stuff happens, but none of it is very interesting.

Hopefully this series is just off to a slow start. There are some cool ideas presented, and small sections of the issue are enjoyable. As a whole, however, Godshaper #1 fails to do its premise justice.

Godshaper #1 Review
Godshaper #1
Is it good?
Godshaper #1 features some interesting ideas and decent art that are boggled down by otherwise poor and boring execution.
Good premise with some of the lore decently introduced
There is some nice art here and there
While there are cool concepts, none of the execution is great enough to warrant further interest
The characters’ actions in the last third of the issue felt dictated by where the creators wanted the plot to go rather than what the characters would believably do
Smudge was very boring and generic
6
Average
Buy Now

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup